Careers on Fishing Vessels

Fishing is a challenging but rewarding career in the UK. There are over 400 ports and harbours across the UK where fishing vessels operate. This means that you can work on a wide variety of different fishing vessels. 

There are three important roles on a fishing vessel: 

Deckhands: You are responsible for day-to-day tasks such as: 

• Equipment preparation, operation and repair 
• Cleaning chores and cooking 
• Gutting and storing fish. 

Mates and Skippers: You manage the vessel's crew as well as the safety and operation of the vessel. Many skippers will also share some deckhand duties, particularly on smaller vessels. 

Engineers: You are responsible for maintaining mechanical, electrical and hydraulic equipment on the vessel. This includes propulsion equipment, steering equipment, winches and deck machinery, and board pumping equipment. 

Most new entrant fishermen will start out in trainee deckhand roles. But it is possible to learn on the job and undertake training to progress to mate, skipper and engineer roles. 

Find out more about each role further down the page.  

Deckhands 

As a deckhand you undertake many duties around the vessel. This includes: 

• Preparing the deck 
• Handling and repairing gear 
• Gutting and storing fish 
• Vessel maintenance 
• Cleaning 
• Cooking

Below is a summary of the responsibilities and job opportunities of both trainee and experienced deckhands. For information about training for fishermen follow the link to our Seagoing training and certificates webpage. 

Trainee deckhand 

Trainee deckhands undertake work on the vessel's deck. This includes the use, storage and maintenance of fishing gear. Though helping in the engine room and/or fish room may also be necessary along with other duties as directed by the skipper or mate. 

With experience, trainee deckhands will have opportunities for career progression. This could be as engineers or deck officers on larger vessels. But can also be mate or skippers of inshore vessels. 

New entrants must attend basic courses which cover the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) statutory safety training requirements in sea survival, first aid, fire fighting, and health and safety. On top of this, all deckhands must be physically fit, have good eyesight, complete either a ML5 or ENG1 medical depending on the size of vessel and the duration of trips, and be able to communicate well with others. 

Experienced deckhand 

Experienced deckhands are responsible for preparing the deck and the equipment. This includes preparing the equipment for catching, operate and maintain fishing gear as well as gutting and storing fish. 

Deckhands may also partake in cooking for crew members and must ensure the vessel is kept clean. 

With the right qualifications, an experienced deckhand can progress to: 

• A mate and eventually a skipper 
• Move into engineering

Some deckhands may invest in their own small boats and become inshore skippers. It is also possible to move into related maritime industries. This also includes the Merchant Navy, the Royal Navy, offshore support, commercial workboats, aquaculture farm boats and harbour tugboat work. 

In addition to the requirements for new entrants, experienced deckhands must attend another basic course. This covers MCA statutory safety training requirements in safety awareness and risk assessment.  

All deckhands must be physically fit, have good eyesight, complete either a ML5 or ENG1 medical depending on the size of vessel and the duration of trips, and be able to communicate well with others. 

Skippers and mates 

The duties of mates and skippers are similar on all types of fishing vessels: 

Skippers are responsible for all aspects of health and safety as well as the crew and vessel management. This includes: 

• The location and selection of fishing grounds 
• Operation of fishing gear  
• Vessel navigation 
• Selection of fishing methods 
• Management of business arrangements 
• Maintenance of all ship records and catch logs 
• The safety management system for the vessel 
• Crew health and safety

Mates use their expertise in several areas. This includes: 

• The health and safety 
• Watchkeeping and radio communication 
• Fish-finding instruments and fishing techniques to assist the skipper 
• Often responsible for ensuring that fishing gear operates correctly, and that the catch is properly stored 
• Navigation

Different kinds of mate and skipper positions will have different entry requirements. This will also offer different opportunities for promotion. On vessels of 16.5m and above, mates and skippers are required to hold Deck Officer Certificates of Competency.  

After gaining right qualifications and experience, skippers can progress from commanding vessels in inshore waters to fishing worldwide. 

Engineers 

Engineers are responsible for maintaining and repairing electrical, mechanical and hydraulic equipment on the fishing vessel. More information about training for fishermen can be found here. 

Trainee engineer 

Trainee engineers work as part of a team on deck, and occasionally in the engine room. Sharing many responsibilities with trainee deckhands, trainee engineers will gradually be given more duties relating to maintenance and repair of equipment.  

Trainee engineer will have opportunities for career progression in multiple areas. This could be as second engineers or instead pursue a career as a skipper. Engineers can also move into other maritime industries, such as the Merchant Navy or the Royal Navy. 

All trainee engineers must attend approved basic safety training before going to sea, as well as courses covering the basic Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) statutory. These are in basic safety training in sea survival, health and safety, firefighting, first aid and safety awareness and risk assessment. Trainee engineers must also be physically fit with good eyesight, complete either a ML5 or ENG1 medical depending on the size of vessel and the duration of trips, and an ability to communicate and work well with others. 

Second engineer 

The second engineer on a fishing vessel is responsible for maintaining all mechanical and electrical equipment. This also includes propulsion equipment, steering equipment, hydraulic equipment and board pumping equipment. Testing and diagnosing faults are also part of the job. On vessels with an engine power of 750kw of more, second engineers will assist the chief engineer. 

With the right qualifications, a second engineer can progress to: 

• The role of chief engineer after receiving the MCA Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency (Fishing Vessel) Class 1 
• Or move into other maritime industries. 

To work on a fishing vessel with an engine power of 750kw or more, second engineers must hold the Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency (Fishing Vessel) Class 2. To be eligible to sit for this, you must be over 19 years of age and meet the following criteria: 

• Have completed a six-week approved course on the operation and maintenance of machinery. As well as two years of sea service in an engineering capacity on a fishing vessel with an engine of 100kw or more. 
• Full engineering apprenticeship and six months of sea service in an engineering capacity on a fishing vessel with an engine of 100kw or more. 
• Full engineering apprenticeship followed by three months in the Merchant Navy in an engineering capacity plus three months of sea service in an engineering capacity on a fishing vessel with an engine of 100kw or more. 

or 

• 30 months of sea service in an engineering capacity on a fishing vessel with an engine of 100kw or more. 

and 

• Pass the Engineer Officer (Fishing Vessel) Class 2 Oral Examination. 
• Hold the basic sea survival, first aid, fire fighting and safety awareness certificates, as well as the advanced fire fighting certificate and the medical first aid certificate. 

Chief engineer 

Chief engineers use their extensive knowledge of health and safety and fishing vessel machinery to deal with engineering emergencies. They also oversee the maintenance and operation of the vessel’s engine and machinery. 

This includes: 

• Regularly testing steering equipment 
• Operating all onboard pumping equipment 
• Monitoring instruments and equipment 
• Diagnosing mechanical and electrical faults

The chief engineer is also responsible for any other engineering personnel on the vessel. 

Chief engineers looking for career progression may consider related maritime industries, including the Merchant Navy and the Royal Navy. Here, the fishing vessel experience will be well recognised. 

For chief engineers working on fishing vessels with an engine power of 750kw or more, there is a statutory requirement to hold the MCA Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency (Fishing Vessel) Class 1. To be eligible, candidates must hold an Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency Class 2. Additionally, they must have satisfactorily completed at least: 

• 21 months of qualifying sea service in an engineering capacity on a fishing vessel with an engine of 750kw or more. 

and

• Courses in basic sea survival, first aid, firefighting and safety awareness, advanced firefighting and medical first aid. 

Further info 

More information about maritime careers, qualifications and learning pathways can be read at the Maritime Skills Alliance website.